Ballarat takes pride in its many and varied tourist attractions. A unique attraction in Australia is the Prime Ministers Avenue in the botanic gardens, where busts of Australian leaders - from Edmund Barton to Kevin Rudd - line a path, celebrating the contributions they made to the country. But there's an empty space at the end of the avenue.

According to the artist Peter Nicholson, he dropped off Julia Gillard's bronze bust to the Ballarat Town Hall almost a year ago, on the 11th of July. The foundations of a granite pedestal were installed in the gardens in October.

Ballarat's Deputy Mayor Samantha McIntosh says she has seen the bust, and says it's being looked after by the Ballarat Art Gallery. She says the council has sent a formal invitation to the Prime Minister and is awaiting a date for a visit to unveil the bust.

"It's really just about a time and date that the Prime Minister agrees to come and unveil it. That's something for the Prime Minister's office to decide upon."

According to the Prime Minister's office, time was very limited on Ms Gillard's visit to Ballarat last weekend, which meant there was no time to unveil the bust.

With only 99 days till the election, time is running out for the Prime Minister to schedule another visit. Cr McIntosh says the council will wait for the Prime Minister.

"There are many prime ministers that have been to Ballarat to unveil their busts."

Of the past five Prime Ministers, only John Howard has been present at the unveiling of his statue.

Kevin Rudd did visit Ballarat to unveil his, but didn't end up taking part in the ceremony possibly because of the presence of protesters.

"I think it's wonderful when people from the community that are really interested in seeing their current leader, and being able to voice whatever their concerns or celebrations may be, that that opportunity continues to exist."

Cr McIntosh says it's important Ms Gillard is present for hers.

"It is important that we give it the honour it deserves, and if we can possibly organise a time to unveil with the Prime Minister present that would be the best way to be able to do it."

But she says if Ms Gillard decides she doesn't want to attend, it would not be a problem for someone else to unveil it.

"There are many other busts that are in the avenue that the Prime Minister themselves have not unveiled."

Mr Nicholson suggests it would be a good idea to unveil the statue before the election, as a "talking point" and a way to attract more tourists to Ballarat.

Cr McIntosh agrees it will attract tourists.

"I would imagine that every single extra Prime Minister that gets added to that avenue will only attract more and more tourists, and anything that we can do as a city to entice people to come and enjoy what we live in amongst, is something that we'll continue to develop."

But she says whether that happens before or after the election is up to Julia Gillard and her staff.

"I think anyone during the election campaign would be concerned about negative attention, and I think it's understandable that people would consider what sort of message may be cast with this.

"If there comes a time that she decides that's not her choice, well that's up to her, it's not up to us.

"But this is about a series of Prime Ministers. It's not about one head, it's about all of them. It's about the history of our country and our leadership."

Despite at least five councillors having ties to the Liberal Party, Cr McIntosh denies the bust is being withheld for political reasons.

"The Prime Ministers' busts have been proudly placed by the City of Ballarat with many people coming and celebrating what they've contributed to our country. We'll continue going on doing the same."